Brief report of the State workshop on
“Best Practices of Agricultural Adaptation”, 15th and 16th
Feb, 2013, Dehradun
Introduction
The farmers overwhelmingly expressed a serious concern with
agriculture in times of climate change. Most of them have been bewildered by
the change in the temperature, rainfall, snowfall patterns and do not know how
to react to it. Policy responses too slow and too far apart, have failed to
support them through adequate information, new and improved seeds and crops,
irrigation technologies, risk and insurance coverage. Very few adaptation
strategies except System of Crop Intensification, water harvesting and organic
farming came to light. Most of them have reached the dead end of adaptation,
and were left with no option but to migrate and swell the ranks of slum
dwellers in nearby cities. This is particularly true for apple growers, who say
that the apple line has moved to more than 1000 feet upwards. Farmers who
depended on livestock also fared no better. People are forced to sell buffaloes
(worth 30,000 to 35,000) to the abattoirs, who rate them on the basis of the
quantity to meat they can provide (price typically ranging between Rs.
500-1000).
Farmers shared these experiences in a Workshop on “best
practices of agricultural adaptation” organized by a number of NGOs including
CECOEDECON, PAIRVI, UDI, HARC, PSI, Casa Mountain in collaboration with Oxfam
India at Dehradun on 15th and 16th February.
Context and
background
In the inaugural session, Ajay Jha (PAIRVI) speaking on
behalf of organizers said, that there has been little support to agricultural
adaptation (against climate change impacts), which needs to be identified and
promoted through policy and financial support. He added that National Mission
on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which is designed to increase resilience of
agriculture through adaptation has very little to support adaptation. It is extremely
technology centric, mitigation focused, promotes BT as one shoe fits all
solution, and also promotes conversion of C3 crops into C4 crops, which is
scientifically tedious. Besides, a large amount of money will be spent on
technology promotion, and R&D, (85% all together) leaving little for
capacity building. The Mission is focused on PPP in agriculture, which will
only increase dominance of agri business companies on seeds, agricultural
products and practices, agri research and markets. The focus on BT will
increase monocropping severely affecting the diversity of crops and food. He
also emphasized the direction of agriculture in the coming 12th Plan
and said that 12th Plan will encourage small farmers to quit
agriculture, without creating any alternative livelihood opportunity for them. He
added that policy is geared to transform farmers into Farmer Producers
Organizations, and farmers who fail to understand these nuances, will have to
exit. He informed that a whole set of changes including those in tenancy and
land lease Acts, APMC Act, modernization of mandis and market connectivity are
being planned to facilitate taking agriculture from primary to secondary sector,
which needs to be watched cautiously.
Mr. Jeso Johnson, Programme Officer, Oxfam India (Regional
office, Lucknow) said that climate change affects agriculture in many ways, and
most impacted are small farmers and women farmers. He added that the Government
of India says that it is devoting more than 2% of the GDP on adaptation,
however, there is very little support to agricultural adaptation on ground. He
underlined that financial support and capacity building on adaptation in
agricultural is necessary to insulate small farmers from climate shocks and
will have to be factored in agricultural policies, climate change policies and
state action plan on climate change.
Mr. Soumya Dutta (BJVJ) narrating the collectives efforts
on democratizing National and State action Plans on climate change, said that
plan documents are rich in narratives in agriculture, but laconic on providing
support. He also emphasized that there has been very little work on mapping
vulnerability and impacts, which are extremely essential for planning
appropriate policies. Uttarakhand is highly vulnerable, the glaciers are melting
faster and sooner than predicted, and the state must initiate assessment of
vulnerability and impacts on ground without delay. Adding from the experience
of working on SAPCCs in different states, he added that very little attention
and financial support is pledged for sectors like agriculture, water, forests,
which requires to be scaled up.
Mahendra Singh Kunwar (HARC) said that Hills are becoming
empty, and most widely prevalent adaptation strategy in the hills is migration
to plains and nearby cities. Soil erosion and soil moisture content depletion
is most prominent in the hills and plain both, which is attributable both to
climate change impacts and policies. He added that state like Uttarakhand,
which has very low financial capacity must seek new ways of generating
resources to support agriculture and farmers.
Ravi Chopra (PSI) referred a research conducted by PSI and
giving startling findings. Alluding to the findings, he said that from the data
collected from 400 villages, only 16% population is dependent on agriculture
(whereas the figure was more than 60%, eight years back), people are leaving
agriculture and migrating at a faster rate than understood, which hints towards
extremely low viability of agriculture in the state.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Hemesh Kharakwal, Parliamentary
Secretary, Min of Env and Forests, said that climate change is a real concern
now, however, due to lack of visible and tangible impacts, it gets relegated to
the backburner. However, he said that the government is serious on addressing
climate change and has taken a number of measures including research and
knowledge generation, environmental protection, protection of forests and
bio-diversity, water and promotion to profitable agriculture and
diversification. He underlined that climate change is an emerging issue with
concern of unknown impacts in future; the govt is making all efforts to know
and address its impact on water, environment and agriculture. He welcomed the
comments on agriculture policies and climate change and offered to facilitate a
discussion among various ministries for its appropriate disposal. He also
welcomed suggestions in the State Action Plan on Climate Change and
agriculture. Tej Singh Bhandari, UDI thanked the guests, panelists and
the Chief Guest.
Climate change and its
impacts on the agriculture of the state
J S Rawat, Coordinator, Uttarkhand Centre on Climate Change
(UCCC) emphasized that the centre has done a study to understand “climate
change imprints in Uttarakhand” which shows a number of impacts that are
already taking place. He added that earlier the climate change discussion were
based completely on IPCC data, however, the study generated a range of data
sets from local data signifying clear impact on a number of climate sensitive
areas. these include rising temperature, reduction in rainy hours, change in
rainfall pattern, increase in frequency of droughts, shifting of vegetation
line, transformation of glacial rivers, change of perennial rivers into
non-perennial rivers, changes in snow periods, diminishing regulatory affects
of glaciers, reduction in groundwater etc. These data will be soon accessible
through a geo portal. He added that these impacts render policies addressing
these impacts extremely urgent.
Dr. B P Maithani (CHimalaya), former CDAP Consultant and former
Director, CAPART, said that agriculture has been reduced from primary
occupation to tertiary occupation. Poor soil health and very small agricultural
land adds to climate change impacts. He
added that CDAP has not been prepared in the spirit laid down by the RKVY, and
therefore, there is no prioritization and local planning. Livestock promotion
has also suffered, and water harvesting projects too have not given results as
planned. He suggested that cooperativization of farmers as the way to increase
their income and overcome the hurdles that small holders agriculture present in
the state. He also added that RKVY gives the state freedom to utilize the
resources in the best possible manner and the resources from it can be leveraged
to enhance resilience in agriculture.
Dr V K Sachan,( KVK Chinyalisaur) attested to the impacts
of climate change brought to light by the farmers and said that shifting of
crops, reduced water holding capacity of the soil has been the main concerns.
He said that KVK through the NICRA initiative has developed varieties of crops
which can be harvested in 90-100 days as against earlier crops which took
100-130 days. He highlighted that millets like madua, bajra have not remained
very beneficial for the farmers who can easily supplement their income by
shifting to Pigeon pea (arhar) which has performed well. He added that while
pigeon pea is a short crop and its productivity too is more than other pulses.
He also added that KVK is also protective cultivation to save crops from frost
and varieties of tomato (T4) and cucumber can be grown in polyhouses. He
elaborated that selective breeding is also being promoted to improve breed of
livestock.
Dr. Vinod Bhatt (Beej Vidyapeeth, Navdanya) emphasized that
agriculture is being badly hit due to unpredictability of weather and reduced
precipitation, pest infestation etc. He added that mixed forests are being
converted into chirpine forests, livestock too does not get quality and
adequate fodder and forage. Worst affected are farmers who are into
monocropping of HYVs. He emphasized that organic farming and SRI, traditional
seeds etc. are crop based and practices based adaptation that farmers have
largely adopted, but many of them still remain outside the realm of adaptation
and are struggling with continuously declining farm incomes. Navdanya has
identified 54 flood tolerant varieties in Uttarakhand. He also shared that farmers
are being affected by pests. Some of them in Almora have installed machines,
emitting red light, which prevent infestation of particular pests. Mr. Mahendra
Singh Kunwar also shared that many farmers working with HARC have switched to
tulsi (basel), as monkeys do not attack it, however, they face problem in
utilizing the product. He informed that besides making tulsi tea, HARC is in
connection with a research Institute to explore how to utilize chemical
properties in tulsi, so as to be able to sustain and utilize large production.
Agricultural
adaptation practices
Farmers doing organic farming of basmati rice with the help
of Uttakhand Organic Board shared their experience. Mr. Surya Prakash Bahuguna,
and Mr. Umed Bora, said that switching to organic was difficult as initially
they saw reduced output. However, it has been more than compensated now as they
get good price of their rice not only in India but are also able to export it
to countries like Germany, where it sells for Rs. 380 per kg. They said that
earlier they used to grow rice varieties that took 120-140 days but due to
change in climate, they had to harvest it in 90-100 days, and thus suffered
heavy losses. Now they have shifted to kasturi, which take only 90-100 days,
requires less irrigation and provides good productivity.
P S Sanwal, an apple grower from Dumar, Joshimath (Chamoli
district), reported that he used to earn at least Rs. 30,000 to 40,000 per
season from apples 40 years back. There were beautiful apple orchards in Urgam
Valley (6500 feet) and half of the villagers used to grow apple. But gradually
apples lost their colour, size and became hard, plants also started drying due
to change in weather and reduced snowfall.
Now it’s not possible to grow apples in Urgam valley and
can be done only at Dumar (7500 feet). He explained that a snowfall in January
is must for apples, as it must remain in sub zero temperature for 100 hours.
However, he added that he hasn’t seen snowfall in January, since 1987. Half of
the villagers who used to grow apple have now either turned to NREGA or have
migrated to cities. He tried to compensate with Chaulai and Rajma. Overuse of urea
in Chaulai destroyed land and not finding enough twigs for staking Rajma
creepers, compelled him to look for other vocation. He was yet to see and try
another apple variety, (Anna), which local KVK guided farmers to grow in that
belt, clearly showing gap in the information flow and reach out of the KVK.
Another apple grower Mr. S C Rawat (Naugaon, Uttarkashi, 7000 feet) said that
apple growers have suffered a loss of 50% to 70% during the last two seasons
(2011-2012). He said that it used to snowfall for at least 7 days in January
earlier, now it hardly snows for few days. The soil productivity has also
reduced significantly. He added that Uttarakhand was better than Himachal in
apple production earlier, but due to lack of support from government growers
are facing hard times. He emphasized that while apple juice from Himachal is
found all over India, Uttarakhand did nothing to promote apple. Now since there
is no wood available for packaging of apple, the government provides paper
cartons, which when carried on mules are torn easily. The government, should
set up few food processing units near the apple zone, he suggested. Also that
the government gives subsidy on the pesticides, but pesticides does not reach
apple grower in the season. Kheema Devi and Mohini Devi women farmers growing
vegetables shared hardships in growing vegetables and impact of changing
climate.
Farmers feel that the organic farming and mixed farming are
best adaptation practice for overcoming climate change impacts. Vijay Jardhari,
who practices mixed/integrated agriculture and has more than 25 crops in the
same field said that “I can survive irrespective of the fact that whether it
rains or not. Even if it is a drought the millets will take me through the
year.” “Farmers who switched from “supply driven” to “demand driven”
agriculture turning to mono cropping” reasons Vijay, “are impacted the worst”.
There is a symbiotic relationship between forests, water, bio-diversity,
animals and agriculture, and a disturbance in their balance is affecting all,
he adds. He underlines, that it is vested interest, who are out to promote
wheat and rice, who coined the word coarse grain for millets, which are finer
than best of basmati. He underlined that many traditional millets are flood and
drought resistant and have excellent nutritive value at the same time. He
explained that madua has rich calcium content, and Jhangora is best for iron
deficiency. The state government also promotes these millets but with chemical
pesticides and fertilizers, he lamented! He emphasized that agriculture has a
strong connection with forests. Besides, forests also provide at least 50-60
twigs and plants, which are extremely popular as food and medicine (semal,
Kuriyal, Kyola, Lengda, and many varieties of garlic and ginger etc.). He
concluded by saying that due to warmer temperature, many new weeds have spread
very fast (gazar ghas, lentana, kala basa), their spread should be contained,
as expansion of Chirpine.
Dr. Dibakar Mahanta (VPKAS) also stressed on importance of
organic farming and use of organic fertilizers (FYM, vermicompost). He said
that though grains production has been affected to some extent, production of
vegetables and fruits (akhrot, pomegranate), medicinal herbs have more than
compensated for that. He also informed participants of the CDM project that
Uttarakhand govt is looking to get approved. The project “Enabling small
holders to improve life through carbon Finance” is being undertaken under
“National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)” ICAR. The project aims to
manufacture vermicompost and FYM on a grid area spread over 10 km/sq and
involving 1200 farmers, who will get Rs. 15 crore after 10 years. (A rough
calculation suggested that every farmer household will be getting approx. Rs
1041 per month).
Livestock and fisheries
Farmers also shared that keeping an animal is not an option
now due to lack of fodder, diminishing fertility and productivity of animals.
Due to increasing temperature, animals give premature birth to calves and also
does to give enough milk. This is being witnesses in all milch animals. Lack of
common and green pasture, water, access to forests, green fodder result in poor
health and less productivity. They also questioned that “now that government is
promoting power tiller, we do not know what to do with a male calf?” Mr. Avatar
Singh (Mount Valley Development Association) shared that it’s important to
secure fodder first and then move to cattle rearing. More than 19 groups
involving 200 women farmers are generating decent income (Rs. 4000-Rs. 6000pm)
through the project.
The farmers suggested that govt has also discouraged
keeping sheep. Sheeps used to help biodiversity by pollination and could have
been excellent for reducing rural inequity. However, due to lack of support for
wool production, people have stopped rearing sheep. Fisher folk are also faring
no better. Firgun Bedi (Khateema, Udham Singh Nagar) who depends completely on
her small farm pond and income from it, shared that, in the last two years,
increasing cold and frost have adversely affected fish keeping. She finds few
dies fishes everyday in her pond. The weight of fishes too has reduced. Many
fishes like silver carp (Mahasir), ghariyal etc. have vanishing rapidly. Others
added that government is not promoting local varieties, which are easy to rear
in these conditions. Increasing use to bleaching powder too, is resulting in
deaths of fishes, it was reported.
Ajeet Kumar (JVS, Tehri) shared their innovations with
regards to agricultural equipments. They have designed an iron (plough), which
helps reduce use of wood for plough making (iron mining is more environmental
hazard). Besides, they also claimed to have invented weed marker, which helps
women who had to pick weeds b y remaining in submerged field which affected
their hands and feet.
Traditional
knowledge and early warning system
The participants felt that merging traditional knowledge of
weather and early warning systems with scientific systems in necessary to make
weather prediction more accurate and reliable. Number of farmers shared local
epithets, beliefs and bio-indicators, which were used to predict weather
information. Some of them are listed as below:
1.
If it is cloudy on Friday, and remains overcast
on Saturday, it’s almost sure that it will rain on Sunday.
2.
If the bright star in the western horizon shines
brightly during the day, it signifies a drought in coming months.
3. The halow around moon, the far it is from moon,
it more likely the rains are, the close halow signifies a coming drought
4.
If kancha (a crow like bird) fly together in
formations and are seen picking in village, the rains are likely. This is also
true for bats.
5.
If birds bathe in sand, its likely to rain.
The participants also felt that most of the TK regarding
EWS does not work anymore, however, there are many of them which have stood up
the test of time, needs to be documented.
Linking local with
global
The discussion also took into account positioning of
agricultural adaptation in agricultural policies, national climate change and
agricultural plans and international negotiations. It also involved a
discussion on limits to adaptation and loss and damage in agriculture. Ajay Jha
(PAIRVI) informed the participants on lack of support to adaptation in National
Action Plan on climate change and state action Plans on climate change. He
added that India’s climate change policy is highly leveraged in favour of
mitigation and leaves little scope for adaptation, especially agricultural
adaptation. He also shared that National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture,
which aims at enhancing climate resilient agriculture. Is highly technology
focused, and adopts same approach to expand green revolution in eastern states,
through extensive use of inputs, technology, HYVs, and biotechnology, which is
bound to reduce the resilience of agriculture against impacts and can be
extremely risky. He highlighted that international negotiations on agriculture
and climate change too are completely dominated by “mitigation in agriculture”
approach, which is dangerous for small holder farmers. He shared the experience
of “Kenya Carbon Agriculture Project,” saying that the most of the benefits
will go to project developers and technical and financial analysts, with
farmers ending up with less than USD 3 per year. He stressed that farmers need
to be cautious about carbon finance projects in agriculture and also in
forests. He also added that govt of India, also does have a clear position
regarding mitigation in agriculture, though for now, India has opposed making
mitigation essential in agriculture.
Loss and damage in
agriculture
Mr. Soumya Dutta (BJVJ) talked about limits to adaptation
and the concept of loss and damage. He said that many vulnerable countries and
livelihoods cannot survive climate change impacts despite the best of
adaptation, therefore the countries that have brought about this crisis are
liable to pay for the damage caused, though many losses cannot be compensated
at all. He explained that the concept of loss and damage is being talked about
since COP 16 where under Cancun Adaptation Framework, a work programme on loss
and damage was undertaken by SBI. The work programme was aimed at generating
knowledge on (1) assessment of loss and damage, (2) range of approaches to
address loss and damage, and (3) role of the convention. In the last two years,
a lot of discussion has taken place. However, as far as the progress is
concerned, the work programme has suggested “developing an “international
mechanism” on loss and damage, which is being opposed by developing countries,
particularly the US. He explained that while India as a country might not be a
beneficiary under this project, assessment of loss and damage is important to
advocate increasing investment in climate change mitigation and supporting
adaptation in agriculture. The participants shared that as far as assessment of
damage due to extreme climatic events are concerned, they can be assessed,
however, losses including loss of life, loss of habitat, social capital, and
spiritual losses are concerned, it’s impossible to assess their value in
financial terms. They also emphasized that it was also extremely difficult to
assess losses incurred due slow and gradual changes ie. change in temperature,
snow fall, monsoon, soil health and moisture, and more efforts are required to
develop a framework for its assessment.
Ms. Sabita Parida from Oxfam India, shared her perception
on future work of Oxfam India, nationally and in the state. she said that Oxfam
India is committed to the cause of small farmers, women farmers and enhancing
resilience in agriculture nationally, at the state level, she emphasized that “documentation
of case studies to learn more about adaptation practices, and assessment of
loss and damage might be interesting to take up.” “Efforts will be made to see
that State Action Plan incorporates the recommendations made by the workshop,
and earlier consultations,” she added.
1.
Climate
change knowledge management, and monitoring
Climate change is having wide impacts in the state. Besides,
IPCC data, this has been attested by many studies (including WWF, 4*4
Assessment, Max Plank Institute, ICIMOD). Recent study on climate change
imprints in Uttarakhand conducted by the UCCC using local data, also clear
impacts on temperature, rainfall, glaciers, glacial and perennial rivers, and
other water bodies, snowfall period, shift in vegetation line etc. The state
has set up UCCC and came out with a draft State Action Plan on Climate Change. The
Action Plan proposes to have a steering committee under the chairmanship of the
Chief Minister. Climate change is seen only as a responsibility of MOEF and
Nodal Officer.
·
Close inter-ministerial coordination, and integration
of climate change, agriculture, forests, water and disaster management
·
Improved weather information system and early
warning system by merging traditional knowledge with scientific data
·
Enhance coverage of risks and insurance of crops
and livestock to insulate farmers from weather shocks.
·
Policymaking should be based on local needs and
ensure wider participation of people, farmers and local bodies
2.
Sustainable
water use and soil moisture management
Data shows reduction in precipitation, glacial melting and
retreat, conversion of perennial rivers in non-perennial rivers, change in
monsoon and snowfall patterns, reduction in water table and poor ground water
recharge, loss of traditional water bodies etc. Big dams have not resulted in
expansion of irrigated areas as planned. Uttarakhand has a rich history of
planned watersheds, however, they seem to have outlived their utility.
Improving water holding capacity of the soil, preventing run off of rainwater
and preventing loss of top soil must be first priority for the state.
·
Small check dams should be made to facilitate
irrigation and improve soil moisture. No big dams should be made without
assessment of cumulative impacts of big dams on environment.
·
Infiltration holes, trenches, bio percolation
tanks can help improve water recharge
·
Increased plantation can prevent top soil and
rainwater run off
·
Drip and sprinkler irrigation (currently has
limited use) should be promoted by setting up technology banks, which small
farmers can access and use.
·
Rainwater harvesting should be mandatory in
cities.
3.
Crop
Management
Uttarakhand has rich diversity of crops, millets,
vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, forest food plants, which are being lost
of monoculture. High yielding varieties promoting monoculture are less
resilient to climate change impacts and are likely to fare worse in future.
Presently only few crops are available which are flood, drought, hailstorm
resilient. Similar crops for pest resistance, thermal resistance, having less
water foot print, and short duration crops are required. Chemical pesticides,
fertilizers and increasing temperature has brought in various new pests and
diseases in crops.
·
Sustainability of food production and
agriculture lies in diversity, promoting local seeds and crops including
millets.
·
Loss of top soil and water holding capacity of
soil should be addressed with priority.
·
Traditional varieties of flood, drought
resistant seeds should be promoted
·
Increased investment should be made in
vegetables, fruits, flowers, medicinal herbs by making available infrastructure
for storage, processing, marketing.
·
Promote increased use to biofertilizers through
providing incentives to small farmers.
·
Prevention of animal infestation by controlling
population of monkeys and wild pigs.
·
Prevent growth and expansion of useless grasses
including gazar ghas, lentana, kala bassa and chirpine.
4.
Livestock
Management
Livestock is a good adaptation strategy which makes up for
the loss of crops. However, in view of lack of fodder and water, farmers are
resorting to distress sale of animals. Sensitive disposal of aged and useless
animals is not available. Livestock is also good to reduce rural inequity and
poverty.
·
In view of changing composition of agriculture
and increasing contribution of livestock in the state agricultural GDP,
improved investment in livestock and fisheries demand urgent attention.
·
Prevent the spread of useless grasses and
promote kharik, bhimal, Bedu
·
Reverse encroachment of village commons and
pastures
·
The number of veterinary hospitals, AI centres,
vet attendants, mobile vet health units needs to be increased substantially.
·
Selective breeding needs to be done for climate
resilient varieties of cattle, the focus is still on brfeeding exotic
varieties, which has very low climate resilience.
·
Sheep rearing needs should be promoted, the
government should also make appropriate arrangements for processing and
marketing of wool.
·
Livestock insurance has a very limited reach in
the state, which needs to be enhanced.
